The pain that Vegeta felt was not physical, for he had let Kakarotto destroy his body. It was the pain for the loss of his one and only son.
So when the power was restored into his body, with one quick jolt that was not too slow or fast, the pain did not leave Vegeta. He stood up, his body restored, and his eyes blank, devoid of emotion. The wounds slowly disappeared from Vegeta's face, sealing themselves. The dried blood seemed to disappear, along with the scratches and bruises administered by Kakarotto.
Vegeta ignored Kakarotto, who was now stomping towards the Eternal Dragon. What caught Vegeta's eye was a glint. In the middle of the night, glints were very uncommon, so Vegeta slowly walked over with his newly renewed body.
And what he found was a sword stuck into the ground. A limp hand lay next to it, unmoving. Vegeta didn't cringe, for it was the hand of his son. He knew immediately what he was destined to do, and the whole reason for Trunks being there. He looked back over to Kakarotto, and Shenlong had disappeared. He saw Trunks lying on the ground and prepared to kill him. It was too much for Vegeta.
He screamed in rage, surrounding himself in waves of gold as he once again entered the state of Super Saiya-jin 3. He felt invincible, the power made him feel as if he could destroy anything with the snap of his finger. The ground rumbled at his power, and he let out a scream that rivaled Kakarotto's constant roars. Kakarotto immediately turned to Vegeta and saw him powering up. He began to lumber towards the final warrior left.
--- --- ---
I am here now, Kakarotto. You cannot see me, but I am here. Just get rid of him, and you will be the final Saiya-jin. And we will rule.
He is the last in our path.
--- --- ---
On the same cliff, at the same spot, Piccolo continued to meditate. He had managed to answer all of his questions, using the knowledge of Kami, Dende, and even Nail. Piccolo was now content, and dropped out of his meditation. His feet touched the ground and his eyes opened wide.
I must go. The finale is at hand.
Piccolo formed and aura and flew off towards the bout.
--- --- ---
Looking up at the best before him, Vegeta mustered all of his courage, pride, and strength. This was the true testament to his power, the last straw. His final chance. He leapt into the air, and planted a kick in Kakarotto's stomach. The monster doubled over and Vegeta jumped on his back, raising his palm to it.
"BIG BANG!!!" he screamed, unleashing blue energy on Kakarotto's back with seared the fur and caused him to stagger back. Kakarotto screamed in pain and threw a hand back at Vegeta, which struck him and knocked him back. Kakarotto then uprighted himself, and shot two yellow blasts at Vegeta.
The Saiya-jin Prince managed to dodge one, and threw the other away with his strength. He charged at Kakarotto, throwing a blast at him for distraction, and then landing in his hand.
Calling up all of his strength, Vegeta formed a large yellow ball above his head with both hands and fired it down into Kakarotto's hand. It didn't go through, but made an impressive hole, causing Kakarotto to grab Vegeta with his other hand.
But Vegeta wasn't going to lose again. With a surge of energy, he broke free of the Oozaru's hand and kicked it away. Flying to his stomach, Vegeta powered up his fist with yellow energy and aimed a punch that Kakarotto leaped to avoid. Vegeta punched empty air, and then barely evaded a huge foot coming back down at him. Another foot appeared and knocked Vegeta in the chin, causing him to fly up and letting Kakarotto hammer him down with a giant fist. Vegeta thudded against the ground, and slowly helped himself up.
He looked up at the beast, biding his time. Another fist came for Vegeta, but he jumped to avoid it, and Kakarotto almost lost his balance trying to hit him down so low. Vegeta had already appeared behind him and using a force of energy, sent Kakarotto sprawling down on his back. Now was Vegeta's chance. He put both hands in front of him, and a yellow ball began to form.
Kakarotto seemed to not be moving, and the ball slowly began to grow in Vegeta's hands. He knew this was his final chance, and nothing would stop him.
--- --- ---
Krillin's eyes slowly began to open, and he looked out. He saw nothing much, naturally, because it was nighttime. But he slowly hoisted himself up to see Vegeta, in Super Saiya-jin 3, hovering over Kakarotto's body, forming a Final Flash. It was growing as Krillin watched. Losing his energy once again, Krillin collapsed.
--- --- ---
Vegeta's eyes went wide as the Final Flash began to grow even larger. It was now well larger than the cup of his hands, and the power of it was unimaginable. Vegeta didn't know he contained so much power. He also knew that this was his final chance to save them all. The ball continued to grow with the energy Vegeta continued to pump into it.
--- --- ---
Piccolo flew over the horizon, and spotted a large golden figure lying on the ground. He knew that the terror still lived, and that there wasn't much time left for Earth.
--- --- ---
The ball was now at the perfect size. Vegeta managed to smile, looking down at Kakarotto, who had now slowly stood up and was staring at Vegeta with those dull eyes.
His compassion left him once again. Vegeta was Prince of the Saiya-jins, never an Earthling. It was not Kakarotto's fault that this was happening, but Vegeta had no choice. And he was doing it…for himself.
"FINAL…FLASH!!!!!" screamed Vegeta, unleashing the enormous ball of energy from his hands. Kakarotto jumped in the air to avoid the blast, but his tail hung below his body, and the enormous ball of energy incinerated the entire tail.
Kakarotto screamed, but it didn't sound as much like a Golden Oozaru anymore. Falling to the ground, unconscious, Goku began to slowly turn back into a normal Saiya-jin. Vegeta floated in the air, panting, trying to comprehend what he had just done. He slowly floated down to the ground and lay on his back. He finally realized what he had done.
Facing the sky, Vegeta silently thanked all of those that had died, for giving him this chance. He had saved the world, and he had done it by himself.
First it was Trunks, ultimately defeating Freeza. Then it was Gohan, taking down Cell with a final Kamehameha. And then Kakarotto, throwing the Genki-Dama at Buu, incinerating his body. Vegeta had finally taken his place among the champions, by defeating the ultimate champion.
But then he heard the cackling.
--- --- ---
Piccolo had finally arrived. He had seen the entire transpiration of events. The devastation of Vegeta's Final Flash greatly shocked him. He never realized just how much power and anger Vegeta had pent up inside of him. The attack was devastating, and Goku's now normal body lay in the middle of a crater Vegeta had created.
Vegeta had given up to the exhaustion, and fallen to the ground. But before Piccolo could heal Vegeta, the cold steel of a blade sliced entirely through his midsection. Without warning, Piccolo's top half fell to the ground, and his mouth gaped open. He began to stutter, but instead of words, blood began to spill out of his mouth. Then he went silent.
But Vegeta was still awake. Weak, but his eyes slowly opened, and he finally saw the one who had started it all…